Gas Heater

I am currently restoring a 1957 356a and was wondering if there are new gas heaters that could be installed? Does anyone know of a company that makes them or am I better off getting an old gas heater and restoring it? Thank you...

There should be some good info on this site regarding newer gas heaters. Try a search for "Espar".

We use the Espar B1LC, which is essentially a modern version of the old BN1 heater. The nicest thing is the modernization of the B1LC. It has all kinds of computer controlled safety features such as: heat sensors, fuel regulation, voltage regulation, etc, etc... When one fails it shuts the system down and kicks an error code. You can plug in the hand held Espar code reader (much like any modern OBD-II port) and get a list of the error codes, reset codes, etc...

Anyway, you can find more info at http://www.espar.com/
You can expect to pay anywhere from $800-1200 for the B1LC unit.

If you are restoring an original car - wouldn't you want an original dealer supplied product? Plus aren't you 6 volts? Suspect Webaso is the Porsche heater source back then.

or pay $40 for a complete working BN1 gas heater like i did

Here's vintage Stewart Warner InstaHeat for $40. NOT mine!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/pts/421937574.html

jeebus - that thing looks like a bomb! (and it's 6volt)

i am going to mount mine between the firewall and back seat (under the car). out of sight - out of mind.

We have old posts on this. I cut out the back panel, mounted it above the tansmission and put the seat back ove it. I put it in it's own metal (fire retardant box) worked like a charm.

Original Poster said he was putting it in a real '57 356A he was restoring - that would be a 6v vehicle unless it was converted to 12v - which probably kills some of the vehicles value. Actually the 6v can easily be used in a 12v vehicles using voltage reducing resistor packes which are readily available.

Hey Woflgang, I grew up in Springfield, VA.I just wanted to know if it was better to put a new gas heater in or restore an old one. I am going to use the car as a daily driver. Thanks for all the responses..

Surely the new is safer, more reliable and easier to install - but at $1200 I'd have to be in Artic to justify. Old ones are simple but new parts are rare (Think German Auto still has some parts). Do a search for the manuals which are online. I have 3 BN4 (larger Thing/T2 Bus ones - 5" diameter furnace vice 3") - I'd prefer the smaller BN2 Bug/Ghia ones in my area but just happened on the BN4s. I've yet to install. If you decide to go with used get an extra for parts. Also try to get a complete unit. Parts that are difficult to come by are "spark" plug (NOS are avail), fuel pump, timer switch and exhaust (but you can have muffler shop fab as original will need mod any how). Try ebay, thesamba and maybe the swap meets at Englishtown NJ or Carlisle. I'll trade the larger ones if ya find a couple of the smaller! There is a guy in Hopatacong (sp?) NJ that refurbs them but they end up being $600 - Al Meeks the Heaterman if I recall (haven't seen his ad for awhile though). The ones from the new VW 411/412 and T2 buses work too but they are more complicated with added safety components -- they fit over rear axel and look like an H. I think they are BA4. They called them auxiliary heaters so not sure of output capacity.

Ooops close but no cigar -

It's actually Ark Mirvis in Hopatcong, NJ 07843 Tel. (973) 398-6363 email HEATERMAN@nac.net

A Google search will give his AOL web site